Stretching attachment for operating-tables.



G. R. DE NISE.

. STRBTQEING ATTAGEMENT EGB., lQYIALABING TABLES.

Arruouxon FILED JULY a. 1901. xnlsmwnn um. 2s, moa.

902,947. Patented Nov. 3, 190s. U Q 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1. .4 (0 r C) Q rf-CV C0 0d d, u N oo w Dc( l (D $6 il d) l: f (o l (n Il H u m in ll Il l) 3 g w Q S i a l a L?" 'Il 9 rn: Nonni: xn-ls co4. wAsuINcroN. o. c"

G. R. DE NISE.

STRETGHING ATTAGHMENT POR OPERATING TABLES.

nruouon FILED JULY a, 19o?. nsmzwnn AUG. 2a. 190e.

Patented NOV. 3, 1908.

vom

INI /ENTOR G. Re N/se A TTORN rus Nomura xn-s co.. wAsmNc-rcn, D. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE R. DE NISE, OF DENVER, COLORADO.

STRETCHING ATTACIMENT FOR OPERATING-TABLES.

Appiicaton led. July 3, 1907, Serial No. 382,092. Renewed August 28,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 3, 1908.

1908. Serial No. 450,744.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE R, DE NISE, citizen of the United States of America, residing at Denver, in the county of Denver and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Stretching Attachments for Operating-Tables, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to attachments for the class of operating tables employed by surgeons, physicians and Osteopaths, in the treatment of various ailments and the per formance of surgical operations, and its object is to provide means which may be readily applied to any one of the many operating tables now in use, and which, when thus attached, will adapt the table to the purpose of producing a stretching action upon the body of a person reclining upon its upper surface, with the ob'ect of strengthening the nervous system, an increasing the height of the user by restoring the vnatural elasticityT to the abnormally hardened cartilaginous tissues in the human body, and strengthening the muscles which by want of continual action, are weak and undeveloped.

I attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings in the various views of which, like parts are similarly designated and in which- Figure 1-represents a side elevation of an operating table with my attachment in operative position, Fig. 2-a plan view thereof, Fig. 3-an enlarged side elevation of the head-end member of the attachment-Fig. 4-a plan view thereof-F ig. fir-an enlarge side-elevation of the foot-end member of the attachment-Fig. -a plan view thereof, and Fig. T-a perspective view of a bar or brace used under certain circumstances, in connection with my attachment.

Referring to the drawings, let the reference numeral 2 designate an operating table, which, as stated in the preamble, may be of any design or construction.

The stretching attachment comprises two elements 3 and 4, which in practice, are attached respectively to the head-end and the foot-end of the table.

The head-end element 3, consists of a support adapted to uphold and secure the upper portion of the human body and comprismr a U shaped frame 5, including the paralldl arms 6 and the transverse connection 7, which being bent at right angles to the said arms, provides means for the attachment of a head gear 8, the construction and a plication of which will hereinafter be descri ed.

The free extremities of the arms 6, are bent downwardly at right angles thereto,- and their extreme ends 9, are turned at right angles to the downwardly ranging offsets, to extend in parallel relation to the main body of the frame.

To attach the frame to the operating table I employ a bracket 10 designed to be secured to a convenient part of the table, by means of screws, rivets or bolts, and comprising a strap or body portion 10i1 and two terminal, outwardly extending, apertured ears 1U, which, in practice, engage the inner surface of the correspondingly apertured extremities 9 of the frame, and are pivotally connected therewith by means of a bolt 11, inserted through the registering apertures and secured b a nut 11a.

The rame 5 is provided, in proximity to its outer extremity, with a transverse bar 12 to the underside of which is pivotally secured a brace 13, composed of two members 13EL and 130 each provided with a plurality of equidistantly arranged, longitudinally almed apertures 14, for the insertion of bolts 15, by means of which the two members are rigidly connected,

The outer member 13c terminates in a saddle 18d which is desi ned to straddle and engage a brace 16, suci as is usually found on operating tables to connect the lower portlons of their legs or supports.

Should it be desired to attach the device to a table constructed without the transverse braces 16, the required support for the extremity of the member 13c of the brace 18 may be supplied by a se )arate bar 17 adapted to be secured to the ower plortion of the operating table, and which in t e capacity in which it is employed, may form Part of the attachment.

By adjustment of the position of the short member 13c of the brace 1n relation to its upper ortion, the said brace may be lengt enedp or shortened to conform with tables of varying constructions or to regulate the angle of the support 5 in relation to the upper surface of the table to which it is attached.

A continuous belt 18, composed of rubber, canvas, felt, leather or other flexible material, is stretched around the parallel arms of the frame 5, to provide a support for the paticnts head, when the latter' during the stretching operation, is held in fixed. relation to thc franic by means of the hereinbeforc mentioned head-gear S. rPhe latter, which may be of any desired form or construction, is preferably composed of a cap 8, provided with two straps Sfsecured at their' opposite ends and connected at the point of their intersection by a ring 8 which in practice, is attached to a hook 1S), secured upon thc transverse member T of the frame 5.

A third strap Si', surrounds the cap near its lower edge, and is arranged to press upon the brow and upon the occiput or posterior part of the patients calvarium, when the cap 1s in place.

Pivotally secured upon the arms 6 of the frame, in proximity to its olfsets, are two stops 20, designed to relieve by engagement with the axillze of the patient, the head, neck and contiguous parts, of the greater part of the tension produced by the stretching action to which he is subjected.

Each of the stops comprises an angularly bent strap, pivotally secured at one of its extremities to the arms 6, while its oiposite, upwardly ranging portion is provided with a cushion 20, preferably composed of doubled rubber tubing, to prevent injury to the parts of the patients body with. which the stops come in contact.

The transverse connection 7, is furthermore provided with hooks or eyes 21 secured near its extremities and intended to provide means for securing the patients wrists, when to promote the development of the thoracic muscles and organs, the body is subjected to the stretching action with the arms extended above the head.

The foot element 4 of the attachment comprises a U shaped frame 22, including the parallel arms 22a and the transverse connection 22C which support the mechanical alppliance through instrumentality of which t ie body of the patient reclining upon the table is subjected to the stretching action. This appliance consists of a tackle 23, comprising a standing double block 24 and a running block 25, through which is rove a rope 26, one extremity of which is fastened to a cleat 27 secured within the frame, while its opposite end or fall connects with a shaft 28 provided with a crank 2.8a and rotatably mounted in apertures in the arms 22a and in transverse relation thereto.

A ratchet wheel 29 upon the shaft, in cooperation with a gravity pawl 30 upon the adjacent part of the frame 22, prevents retrograde motion of the shaft during the Winding c process.

The standing block 24 is preferably connected with the outer extremity of the short arm 31 a of a bent lever 31 which is fulcrumed in a clevis 32, secured to the transverse member 22c of the frame, and whose opposite long arm 33 connects at its extremity with an indicating appliance 34 by means of which the amount of tension to which the paticnts body is subjectedl may bc dctel'- mined` The appliance 34 consists of an ordinary spring balance the housing 34a of which connects with the lever, while the parts arranged to compress its spring and which are conncctcd with the indicatory pointer $54", are secured by means of a staple 35 to thc adjacent arm 22 of the frame.

The reference numeral 36 designates the appliance by which the feet of the person reclining upon the table may he connected with the tackle and which comprises two members 3T, each composed of an ankle strap 3T which, in practice, is fastened around the tarsus of the patient, and a flexible loop 37 which passes around the sole of the foot.

lThe loops 37C of the two members are connected by a strap 38 which passes loosely through an eye 25a on the running block 25 of the tackle.

The free ends of the arms 22 of the frame 22 are apertured and may be pivotally attached to the table by means of a bolt 39 and two angle straps 4U designed to be secured upon the table by means of bolts, screws or rivets and provided in one of their iianges with a plurality of longitudinally alined holes, adapted to admit the bolt 3Q.

To secure the element 4 upon the operating table, the angle straps 40 are secured against its foot end in vertical parallel relation to each other and at equal distances from the center of the table. The apertured extremities of the arms 22a of the frame 22 are now placed in engagement with the inner surface of the outwardly extending, apertured flanges of the bar 40, and the parts secured together by the before mentioned bolt 39 which being inserted through their registering apertures is held in place by a nut 39a screwed upon its threaded extremity.

The U-shaped frame 22 is furthermore provided with a brace 41 pivotally secured in central relation to the transverse member 22C and comprising two adjustably connected members 41*L and 41'3 which in form, arrangement and application are identical to the arts 13 and 13 of the brace 13 at the hea-end element of the attachment.

The saddle 41dl at the extremity of the short member 41 engages when in place, a horizontal brace 42 at the lower portion of the table, or a separate bar 17 may be emloyed to provide the required support as ercinbefnre explained.

struction of my attachment, its operation in conjunction with an operating table will be readily understood.

The frames comprised in the two elements Having thus described the mechanical conl being ivotally attached at opposite ends of the talile in the manner described, are held in an approximate horizontal position so as to form extensions of the table's upper surface, by means of the longitudinally adjustable braces 13 and 4l., and when not in use they may be lowered in substantial parallel relation to the ends of the table as shown in broken lines in Figs. 3 and 5 of the drawings, by disengaging the saddle extremities of the said braces from the transverse support on the lower portion of thc table.

Then the elements are in their extended, operative position, the patient is placed in a reclining posture u on the upper surface of the table, after which the cap 8 is adjusted upon his head and the ankle straps comprised in the foot-gear, are secured to his lower limbs. The operator now pulls the standing part of the rope 26, which prior to the adjustment of the foot-gear had been unfastened from the cleat 27, until its running and fall portions are taut.

Having refastened the rope, he now places the stops 2() in engagement with the arm` pits of the patient, and by manipulation of the crank 28a winds the rope upon the shaft until the desired degree of tension is attained.

To release the tension, the end oit the ro e may be unfastened from the cleat, the

`gravity dog lifted out of engagement with the ratchet wheel on shaft, or the head-gear may be detached from thc transverse member 7 of the frame 5.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 2- 1. An attachment of the class named comprising two elements adapted to be pivotally secured at opposite ends of an operating table and respectively having means to hold an extremity of a body recliningl upon the said table, in iixed relation thereto, and to produce a stretchingl action at its opposite eX- tremity.

2. An attachment of the class named comprising two elements adapted to be pivotally secured at opposite ends of an operating table and to cooperatively produce a stretch.- ing action upon a body reclining thereon, and means to adjustably hold the said members in the operative position.

3. An attachment of the class named comprising two elements adapted to coperatively produce a stretching action upon an interposed body, each of the said elements comprising a member adapted to be secured to an operating table, a frame pivotally connected therewith and means on the latter to adjustably hold it in operative position to the said table.

4. An attachment ol the class named comprising two elements adapted to be secured at opposite ends of an operating table, one of the said elements having means to hold an extremity of a body recliningl upon the Said table in iixed relation thereto and the other element having a gear adapted to connect with the opposite extremity olj the said body, and a tackle appliance adapted to impart a stretching action to thc said gear.

5. An attachment ot the class named comprising two elements adapted to be secured at opposite ends oi an operating table, one of the said elcincnts having means to hold an extremity ol a body reclining upon the said table` in iixcd rclelion thcrcto and the other eli-nient having a gear adapted to connect with the oppositr` extremity oll thc said body. and a tachlc appliance adapted lo imparta stretching action to thc said gear by manipulation ol cithcr cnd oll the rope included therein.

6. An attachment ol" the class named comprising two clcnunts adapted to be se cured at opposite ends of an operating table, one of the said elements having means to hold an extremity ot a body reclining upon the said table, in lixcd relation thereto and the other element including a trame, n winch thereon, a tackle appliance including a ropa` operatively connected with the said winch, and a gear adapted to connect ith the opposite extremity of the said body. atta flied to the said appliance.

7. An attachment of the comprising two elements adapted to be sccured at opposite ends ol :in operating table, one of the said elements having means to hold an cxtreinity of a body reclining uprn the said table, in ixed relation thereto and the other clement including a support, a standing block Vlixed thereon, a running block, a rope operatively connecting the said blocks, means on. the running block to connect with the opposite extremity ol the said body, and a winch connecting with the rope.

8. An attachment olx the class named comprising two elements adapted to be sceured at opposite ends oi' en operating table. one oi the said elements having means to hold an. extremity ot a body reclining upon the said table, in vI'ixed relation thereto and the other clement including a tackle, :i gear connected therewith and adapted to connect with the opposite extremity of the said body, and indicatory means connected with the tackle so to indicate the amount of torce excited upon the seid gear tl'irough instrumentality ol` the tackle.

9. An attachment of the class named comprising two elements adapted to be secured at opposite ends of an operating1 table, one of the said elements having means to hold an extremity of a body reclining upon the said table in 'lixed relation thereto and the other element including a frame, a lever fulcrumed thereon, a tackle connecting with one of its arms, a gear adapted to connect with the opposite extremity of the said body, connected class named ,F

f table, a hea( with the tackle, and means ada ted to indicate the force exerted by the sai tackle, connected with the opposite arm of the said lever.

1U. An attachment of the class named comprising two elements adapted to be secured at opposite ends of an operating table, one of the said elements having means to hold an extremity oi' a body reclining upon the said table in fixed relation thereto and the other element including a frame, a lever fulcrumed thereon, a tackle connecting with one of its arms, a gear adapted to connect with the opposite extremity of the said body, connected with the tackle, and a s ring balance connected with the frame ancFwith the opposite arm of the said lever.

11. An attachment of the class named comprising two elements adapted to coperatively produce a stretching action upon an interposed body, means pivotally connected with one of the said elements tovertically adjustably secure it to an operating table, means pivotally connected with the other element to secure it to the said table, and means to support the said elements adjustably in operative position.

12. An attachment of the class namedl comprising two elements adapted to be secured at opposite ends of an operating table, means upon one of the said elements to produce a stretching action upon the lower extremity of a atient reclining upon the said table, a headp gear upon the other element adapted to secure the patients head in fixed relation thereto, and stops pivotally secured i upon the last named element to engage the patients arm pits.

13. An attachment of the class named comprising two elements adapted to be secured at opposite ends of an operating table, means upon one of the said elements to produce a stretching action upon the lower extremity of a )atient reclining 'upon the said i gear upon the other element adapted to secure the patients head in fixed relation thereto and stops pivotally secured upon the said element, adapted to engage the patients arm pits and comprising bent arms and cushions formed by doubled elastic tubing, secured to the upwardly ranging portions thereof.

14. An attachment of the class named, comprising two elements adapted to coper- 1 atively produce a stretching action upon an interposed. body and each including a frame, means at one extremity thereof to pivotally i secure it to an o erating table and a longitudinally adjustab e support, secured in proX- imity to its opposite end.

15. An attachment of the class named, comprising two elements adapted to coperatively produce a stretching action upon an interposed body and each including a frame, means at one extremity thereof, to pivotally secure it to an operating table and a support pivotally secured in roximity to its opposite end and compose( of two detachably connected members, the lower one of which is adapted to connect with a cross bar on the said table.

16. An attachment of the class named comprising two elements adapted to coperatlvely produce a stretching action upon an interposed body and each including a frame7 means at one extremity thereof to pivotally secure it to an o erating table and a longitudinally adjustable brace pivotally secured in proximity to its opposite end, and sup orting members adapted to be secured to t 1e lower portion of the table and to connect with the lower extremity of each brace.

17. The combination with an operating table of two elements hingedly secured at one of their extremities at opposite ends thereof, and adapted to cooperatively produce a stretching action upon a body reclining upon the table, and means to adjustably hold the said elements in their operative positions.

18. The combination with an operating table of two elements hingedly secured at one of their extremities at o) osite'ends thereof, and means to adjustalilT hold the said elements in their operative positions, one of the said elements having means to hold an extremity of a body reclining upon the said table in iixed relation thereto and the other clement having a gear adapted to connect with the o i' osite extremity of the said body and a taclk e appliance adapted to impart a stretching action to the said gear.

n testimony whereof l have aflixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE R. DE NISE.

Witnesses G. J. ROLLANDET, S. A. SCHOMBURG. 

